Forge Cellars Willow Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Seneca Lake, New York

Forge Cellars Willow Cabernet Franc 2024 is a single-vineyard red wine from Willow Vineyard on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake in New York's Finger Lakes. Part of Forge Cellars' lieux-dits collection, the wine highlights the individuality of a northern vineyard site planted in 2014 on Aurora and Farmington silt loam over shale at an elevation of 725 feet. The 2024 growing season brought warm, dry conditions punctuated by timely rainfall, encouraging an early harvest and excellent fruit maturity. Handcrafted using traditional methods, the grapes were harvested on October 11, completely destemmed, and allowed to ferment spontaneously in a wooden vat before spending 12 months in demi-muids. Bottled without fining or filtration, this limited release of 529 cases reflects Forge's commitment to preserving the distinctive character of each vineyard and vintage.

Product Details:

• Founding Partners: Louis Barruol and Rick Rainey
• Winemakers: Louis Barruol and Léana Godard
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
• Vineyard: Willow Vineyard
• Classification: Single-Vineyard Lieu-Dit
• Vineyard Soils: Aurora and Farmington Silt Loam over Shale
• Vineyard Elevation: 725 Feet (221 Meters)
• Year Planted: 2014
• Harvest Date: October 11, 2024
• Harvest Method: Hand-Harvested
• Grape Preparation: 100% Destemmed
• Fermentation: Spontaneous Fermentation with Indigenous Yeasts
• Fermentation Vessel: Wooden Vat
• Aging: 12 Months in Demi-Muids
• Fining: Unfined
• Filtration: Unfiltered
• Alcohol: 14.4% ABV
• Production: 529 Cases

Sensory Description:

The 2024 Willow Cabernet Franc opens with expressive aromas of dark cherry, raspberry, and blackcurrant, complemented by savory spice, black tea, and a delicate suggestion of white pepper. The palate combines ripe, concentrated fruit with the freshness characteristic of Seneca Lake, unfolding through a supple texture and finely integrated tannins. Particularly nimble and elegant among Forge's single-vineyard Cabernet Franc bottlings, Willow balances the generosity of the warm 2024 vintage with precision and restraint. Its layered fruit and savory complexity carry into a persistent, composed finish, offering both immediate appeal and the structure for further development in the cellar.

Winemaker's Background:

Forge Cellars was established through the partnership of French winemaker Louis Barruol, whose family has produced wine at Château de Saint Cosme in Gigondas for generations, and Rick Rainey, whose knowledge of the Finger Lakes helped shape the winery's development. Working alongside winemaker Léana Godard, the team specializes in bone-dry Riesling, cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc from Seneca Lake. Forge approaches winemaking as an exploration of place, working with individual vineyard sites along the lake's eastern shore to understand how differences in soil, elevation, and growing conditions influence each wine. Hand harvesting, meticulous sorting, spontaneous fermentation, small-lot vinification, restrained sulfur additions, and the decision not to fine or filter red wines are central to its philosophy. Willow belongs to the winery's lieux-dits collection, which focuses on the distinct identity of individual vineyard parcels rather than blending their characteristics into a broader regional expression.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at approximately 60 to 64°F (16 to 18°C) in a generous red wine glass, allowing a brief period of aeration to reveal the wine's full character. Willow Cabernet Franc pairs beautifully with herb-roasted lamb, duck breast, grilled pork tenderloin, and roasted chicken with wild mushrooms. Its balance of fruit, freshness, and savory complexity also complements mushroom risotto, lentil preparations, charcuterie, and aged cheeses. For a particularly satisfying pairing, serve alongside rosemary-roasted pork with sautéed mushrooms or duck breast with a restrained fruit reduction. The wine may be enjoyed in its youth or cellared carefully for further development.